Whalsay and Burra lead race for hockey’s Grutness Trophy

Burra and Whalsay both had three-goal wins in senior hockey’s Grutness Trophy competition to lead the table with maximum points from two matches. Whalsay also had a narrow victory over Spurs while Delting notched six to defeat Zetland.

Grutness Trophy

Whalsay 1, Spurs 0

Although Spurs were down to 10 players, this proved to be little or no disadvantage.

Whalsay got off to a better start with Alison Williamson and Nicola Duthie testing the Spurs defence. Emily Shearer, at deep midfield, broke up the Spurs attacks and consistently distributed the ball well.

It was through slick passing down the left that Duthie found space to sweep it past the Spurs goalkeeper to give Whalsay the lead at half time.

The second half saw a turn in the tables with Spurs determined to equalise. Fiona Shearer and Kristen Jeromson linked well on the left and created numerous opportunities from which they were unlucky not to score.

The latter stages of the game saw frantic defending from Whalsay but through good goalkeeping from Shona Moncrieff they maintained the lead.

Players of the match were Emily Shearer for Whalsay and Fiona Shearer for Spurs.

Zetland 1, Burra 3

Burra took the first pass back and applied early pressure by opening the scoring with a strong hit from top of circle by Stacey Laurenson.

Zetland fought back and had several short corners and good runs from Aimee Keith, Shona Keith and Stacey Gardener. However, they were thwarted by the eager Burra defence.

Josie Jamieson, Kristen Robertson and Stacey Laurenson made some great runs which continued to apply pressure with great switching across the pitch which led to a super strike from Kristen Robertson to make it two and then another good goal from Stacey Laurenson for number three.

Zetland took the pass back to start the second half and saw forwards Maisie Unsworth and Shona Keith making a good run through the Burra defence with Unsworth striking a goal.

Good defending from Zetland defence saw the constant threat of Jamieson, Robertson and Laurenson continually halted.

Both teams played well and Wilma Sim (Zetland) and Melanie Couper (Burra) were players of the match.

Scalloway 1, Whalsay 4

Scalloway claimed the first goal through some great passing from Sarah Groat and Michaela Johnston which set up Vicki Henderson to have a clear strike on goal.

Whalsay worked hard with constant pressure through the middle from Angelina Jamieson and some great teamwork in the circle allowed them to even the scores through Catherine Williamson.

Scalloway seemed to lose a bit of focus after an injury to one of their key midfield players which allowed Whalsay to capitalise as a Jamieson strike found the back of the net to put Whalsay 2-1 up at the end of the first half.

Both teams started strongly in the second half with Scalloway more composed and looking for that all-important equaliser and Whalsay looking to extend their lead.

Great skill and determination from Scalloway midfielders Nicola Smith and Kate Moncrieff saw them support their forwards, allowing them to press the Whalsay defence. The Scalloway defence did well to hold off Whalsay’s attacks clearing a number of short corners.

As the game was coming to an end Whalsay showed they weren’t finished yet as a great strike from defender Diane Shearer from a short corner found the back of the net with Maggie Irvine sealing their win just before the final whistle as she rounded the Scalloway keeper to score.

Delting 6, Zetland 2

With the midges out in full force both teams were keen to get going and Delting’s speedy Lorraine Johnson swept a goal past keeper Debie Kane in the first 45 seconds of the match. Delting had a number of other good chances but failed to convert them with Zetland putting up a strong defence.

Zetland had good long passes from Dawn Anderson, Aimee Keith, and through to Stacey Gardner but Rhiannon Inkster was quick to meet them and clear the ball.

In the final few minutes of the first half Shona Keith made a good pass to Helen Robertson on the side of the circle for a great first-time sweep past Delting goalie Karen Jarvie into the far corner.

The whistle went for half time with Delting still to take a penalty corner. A short ball top circle ball from Brenda Leask found Julie Kirkness who got a fantastic first time strike past Kane into goal.

In the second half Zetland came out with renewed energy and Shona Keith was unlucky to score after a great strike at goal.

Delting were keen to keep the attacking play strong and had a good run of goals in quick succession. Linda Gunn scored at 11 minutes in, followed two minutes later by Toni Sidgwick slotting one in past the goalie. Julie Kirkness found the back of the net in the 16th minute and Michelle Stark reverse stick flicked the ball past the keeper in the 18th minute.

After a run of continuous Delting play, Zetland regained possession with Lara Jamieson, Helen Robertson, Maisie Unsworth and Caitlin Holmes working hard. Some nice play in the midfield from Zetland resulted in Aimee Keith scoring the final goal of the match.

Player of the match for Zetland was Aimee Keith while for Delting it was Toni Sidgwick.

For table and fixtures, see Friday’s Shetland Times.